Vauxhall Motors 0 Runcorn Linnets 1
Report by Dave Bettley with pictures from Kelly Jones
Linnets turned the tables on high-riding Vauxhall to escape the relegation zone with a precious, morale-boosting Pitching In Northern Premier League West victory over their neighbours from Ellesmere Port.
Runcorn were the better side, creating the bigger opportunities.But it needed a penalty from Taylor Bowen to see them over the line.
The first campaign away win was, however, secured at considerable cost.
Two more injuries extended an already crippling list of casualties (below).
Ryan Brooke and Eden Gumbs were forced off either side of half-time and the damage was severe for Brooke.
The Linnets striker suffered a triple collar bone break just before the half-hour mark - in the incident, which prompted the referee to point to the spot.
It was five minutes before the kick could be taken, once the stricken top scorer had been stretchered off.
But Bowen kept his composure, beating Jack Atkinson with a shot marginally to the right of the 'keeper, who dived the other way.
It had seemed that Atkinson would not be around to face the penalty.
He was initially sent off for tripping up Brooke as the clean-through striker tried to go round him.
But the red card was was soon rescinded and replaced by a yellow, Atkinson being recalled to resume in goal.
A foul inside the box, denying a goalscoring opportunity and bringing a penalty, cannot lead to dismissal if the offender has made a genuine attempt to play the ball.
All due credit to referee Joe Cunningham for recognising, acknowledging and rectifying his error.
But thoughts were with Brooke, who had taken a heavy tumble in the challenge and faces a lengthy absence.
If the interval lead scantly reflected Runcorn's superiority, the performance represented a big step up as Linnets displayed more intensity, purpose and pace than they have all season.
Frontrunners Brooke, Bowen and Luke Wall (above right) hardly gave the Vauxhall defenders a minute's peace, defending from the front.
Runcorn often doubled up to fight for possession all over the pitch to keep Vauxhall, aiming for a fifth successive win, on the back foot.
Wall, again operating centrally behind Brooke and Bowen, forced a low save from Atkinson as early as the third minute after being played in behind the Motormen's back line.
Brooke, having set up the chance, came within inches of opening the scoring himself as he charged down an attempted clearance by the 'keeper with the rebound going wide.
There were plenty more Runcorn attempts to follow in the first half, Bowen (above) putting the home side under pressure in the air and on the ground.
A terrific overlap by Jorge Dwyer, promoted from the Under 21s to make his first-team debut as substitute for Brooke, produced a quality cross, which Bowen met with a powerful header. It just cleared the bar.
After spurning an opportunity in the opening seconds, Vauxhall's threat was nullified until very late in the half when Tom Myles made a stunning reflex save from a flying, far-post header by Jake Kirby-Reed.
The second half was less exciting and eventful with Runcorn's dominance not as clear cut. Exertions caught up with them as energy levels dropped towards the end.
Even so, they remained resolute and kept discipline and concentration to limit the danger from the hosts - despite a further reshuffle in an ever-changing Runcorn rearguard.
Boss Antony Kay brought himself on at centre half, as right back Gumbs limped off, to make some telling interventions.
Harvey Washington has been the only constant of late at the heart of defence and the youngster has just got on with the job.
Tyler Hill (above), on away debut, continued to impress at left back while Peter Wylie, be it as a central defender (where he started) or at right back (where he finished) is Mr Dependable.
Jacques Welsh and Jaden Jones worked overtime in a Runcorn midfield this time missing Karl Clair (work commitments) and Lewis Nolan (injury).
It also featured Adam Moseley (above) until, on the loss of Brooke, he advanced into a more customary attacking role, which allowed him to run at the opposition. Dwyer (below) did not look out of place filling the resulting vacancy.
Wall, a constant thorn in Vauxhall's side, could have made the closing stages more comfortable but fired a shot the wrong side of a post in the 82nd minute.
Runcorn, however, were good value for a win, which lifted them to 16th in the table on a day when many of the division's teams were in Isuzu FA Trophy action.
Vauxhall dropped a place to third on account of Bootle winning at Witton Albion to go top.
Runcorn Linnets: Tom Myles, Eden Gumbs (Antony Kay, 50 mins), Tyler Hill, Jacques Welsh, Peter Wyliem Harvey Washington, Adam Moseley, Jaden Jones, Ryan Brooke (Jorge Dwyer, 29 mins), Luke Wall Taylor Bowen. Subs (not used): Jack Grundy, Tom Ledward, Josh Elverstone.
Attendance: 269.
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